Back to the Bay: Josh Friedel on the Northern California International

By GM Josh Friedel

February 7, 2012

There has been a long-standing tradition of having
international tournaments in the East Bay. For the last couple of years, Arun
Sharma has picked up the baton and held the 2011 edition at the Berkeley Chess
School. That event, which I also wrote about in the "Reincarnation of the Fight Club", was successful by all accounts,
resulting in an astonishing seven title norms.It was also a really fun tournament, and even those who weren't playing
their best chess seemed to enjoy themselves.It's true that soon after the event I packed my bags and moved to
Wisconsin, but I assure you this was purely a coincidence.

I have mostly good memories ofthe Bay Area, and I was anxious at the chance for a return
visit.This year was a chance for not
only a strong tournament, but also a bit of a nostalgia trip, visiting my old
haunts and binging on avocados.

GM Josh Friedel

The 2012 edition of the Northern California International
underwent some changes from previous years.Arun brought in a co-organizer, Ted Castro, and as a result the
tournament moved to Ted's NorCal House of Chess. This is about 30 miles south of where it was previously held in
Berkeley.The club is quite
spacious.A large auditorium was used
for the playing hall, and it fit all the participants with considerable
ease.There was another room where
drinks and snacks were provided, and elsewhere plenty of tables for analysis
and couches for lazy people such as myself.Overall I found the location to be a huge upgrade.It was a bit more off the beaten track, but
there were plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

Transportation worked out much more smoothly this year, with only
a couple of exceptions.One was Arun
getting a flat tire on the way to the tournament site, though I won't get into
which of the people riding in the car actually caused it.Another was driving around forever finding a
place to drop off Payam Tanaka, one of the people assisting with the event,
only to end up leaving the poor guy in one of the worst parts of Oakland.I'm not sure how he fended off the muggers, drug
dealers, and other crazies with only a small backpack.Nevertheless, it is fortunate for us all he
was able to, as his assistance in running the event was definitely invaluable.

This year's field was impressive with 8 GMs, 16 IMs,
several FMs and masters, 5 women, and representatives from practically every
age group and nationality.The highest
rated player was GM Georg Meier of Germany, sporting an impressive 2671 rating,
and one of the key players in Germany's recent European Team victory.Additionally, there were 2600+ GMs Macieja
of Poland and former US Champion Yury Shulman.

Though a strong field was eventually amassed, there were certainly
setbacks, the first of which occurring before the tournament even began.Originally the event was set to be a
super-Swiss, meaning it would contain over 20 foreign participants, enabling
anyone with a high enough performance to get norms without worrying about
having to play a certain number of foreign federations.Arun had 25 pre-registered, yet an astounding
6 of them dropped out just before the start of the event, and one person's
federation changed to US.This was
quite an unfortunate occurrence, as it left basically no time to find
replacement players.While I understand
that sometimes people have last minute issues that come up before a tournament,
this is an insane number, and it is no small wonder that so few people step up
to organize events like this.Apart
from that the event ran smoothly.

GM Sam Shankland and Ted Castro

GM Sam Shankland won clear first with an undefeated
7/9.This victory was not only
impressive, it seemed almost effortless.His wins seemed to come easily, his draws were pretty solid affairs. I
don't think he was in any kind of real trouble for even one move throughout the
event.This is a rare feat, especially
in a field with so many strong players.Sam has certainly shown himself to be a capable player, defeating
Super-GM Peter Leko in the latest world cup, and has been steadily gaining
rating with every tournament.This win
has to be one of his best yet, however, and I'm certain there will be more to
come.Here are a couple of Sam's best
games from the event, annotated by the man himself.

I had this
position against Peter Leko as well.
13...Nc7 This looks like an
improvement over Leko's h6, although I still like white's position. 14.Nd2
Ne5
14...g5 I think this was more in the spirit of the position. 15.Bh2 f5
16.Nc4 f4 Black shuts down the h2 bishop, which is often a problem piece for
him in this line, but the positional concessions he makes are clear. The
position is unclear.
15.a5 f5 16.Bh2 I like this move- now black
is unable to play g5 and f4 because I will meet g5 with f4 myself.
16...Kh8
16...g5
17.f417.Rfe1
17.Na4 The most natural move, intending Nb6, meets a
shocking respite: 17...Nxd5! 18.Bxe5 (18.Qxd5 Be6 The queen is
embarrassed in the middle of the board, not a usual sight) 18...dxe5
19.Qxd5 Rd8 20.Qxc5 Qxc5 21.Nxc5 Rxd2 22.Rfd1 Rxd1+ 23.Rxd1 Bf6 white has some
nominal edge but black will hold with accurate play. I was feeling a bit more
ambitious than this17...Rb8 18.Bf1!

White prepares for f4 and e4,
activating his pieces and opening the center while black is still
underdeveloped. 18...Bd7 19.Kh1?!
19.f4
Nf7 20.e4 This was a better option. 20...Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Qf6 This line bothered me,
but my computer seems to think I am a moron. I won't comment on whether it is
right about the latter, but the former is definitely true 22.e5! dxe5 23.fxe5
Nxe5 24.Qb6 I missed this move, which wins instantly.19...Qd8 20.f4 I decided
the time had come, but this would have been more effective last move.
20...Nf7
21.e4 fxe4 22.Ndxe4 b6
Now black gets some counterplay.
23.axb6 Nb5
24.Na4?! I had an interesting plan with this move, but it was not quite as
effective as I initially thought [24.Rxa6 This was probably a better move
24...Nd4 25.Qd1 Rxb6 26.Ra2 Qb8 27.Qc1 Black has some play, but not enough for
equality]
24...Nd4 25.Qd1 Bxa4
25...Bb5!? The author of the article
suggested this move, and it does have some merit to it- but still, I find it
hard to believe black can leave the pawn alive on b6 for too long. In any case,
it may have been the lesser of 2 evils 26.Nec3 Eventually the b6 pawn may win
the game, but black has some counterplay in the short run. 26.Rxa4

26...Rxb6
26...Qxb6!
27.b4 This was the move I was counting on 27...cxb4 28.Bg1 I thought black was
way too tied up here- the knight on d4 is pinned, the pin cannot be broken, b3
will never be possible because d4 will hang, and I can simply put another
attacker on d4. But things are not as easy as they seem. 28...a5 29.Ng3 (29.Nd2
This was my original plan and I thought it was immediately winning, but I
forgot that it breaks my queen's contact with d4, and now black can simply
retreat the queen. Oops!) 29...Rbc8 30.f5!? Houdini move, makes no sense
to me but the computer is very insistent. It smacked me when we sparred.
Objectively it looks like white is much better, but this is much easier to say
in the comfort of my favorite chair with an engine running and no time constraints
than an over the board game with time trouble approaching.
27.Bg1! Now black is in trouble.
27...Nf5?
Black had to take the bait 27...Rxb2! 28.Rxd4! Playing for mate 28...cxd4
29.Bxd4 Qa5 I must confess I overlooked this move, which gives black some
saving chances, but he will still suffer for awhile (29...Rg8 30.Bxb2 Bxb2
31.Bxa6; 29...Rb4 30.Bxg7+ Kxg7 31.Qa1+ Kh6 32.g4 g5 33.Ng3) 30.Bxb2 (30.Bxg7+
Kxg7 31.Qd4+ Ne5 Every black piece is hanging but somehow he is alive-
computers these days can really be annoying.) 30...Bxb2 31.Kh2 I'd
prefer white because of the bad knight on f7 and loosened black kingside, but
black has very good chances to hold on. 28.g4 Ne7 29.b4! Rxb4 30.Rxb4 cxb4
31.Bd4 Rg8 32.Bxa6 White's pieces coordinate beautifully while the black
knights gasp for air and the black rook is stuck defending Bxg7.
32...Qa8
33.Bc4 Rc8
Loses immediately, but black was more or less in stalemate-
finding another move was not easy!
34.Bxg7+ Kxg7 35.Qd4+ Kf8

I think this was
a good opening choice given my situation: in general I feel black's best
options against the Nf3 Nimzo lead to slightly worse positions where he can
hold with accurate play, and sitting in clear first and playing against the
strongest player in the event I was hoping not to take too many risks. 5...cxd4
6.Nxd4 Ne4 7.Bd2 Bxc3?!
I'm not sure about this move. More normal would be
Nxd2 when 7...Nxd2 8.Qxd2 Nc6 9.Bg2 Qb6 transposes back to one of the main lines.
Black's results here have been entirely adequate.8.Bxc3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 a6?!
9...Qa5
Black should probably play this move to prevent Qa4, but I still am a bit
skeptical about his position because of white's lead in development. 10.Qb3 a6 (10...Nc6
11.Nb5) 11.Bg2 Nc6 I would be a little more comfortable with white but the
battle continues.10.Bg2 Qc7
10...Qa5 Now this is less effective, but
it was probably still a better move 11.Qd3.
11.Qa4 Nc6
11...0-0 12.0-0
d6 13.Nb5 axb5 14.Qxa8 bxc4 would lead to a similar position to the game, but a
much improved version for black. Even still, I don't believe he has sufficient
compensation for the exchange.
12.c5
12.0-0? Would be a bit careless
12...Na5 if black can collect the c4 pawn he will solve all of his problems,
and after d5 suddenly it will be white's pieces that look ineffective.
12...0-0
12...Qa5 I think this was black's best chance, although the position
remains unpleasant. 13.Qc4 (13.Qxa5 The computer's move looks less
logical to me. 13...Nxa5 14.Nb3 Nc4 15.Nd2 Nxd2 16.Kxd2 Ke7= The black
king in the center holds the fort down, and he can prepare Rd8 and d6. White's
advantage is only symbolic.) 13...Ne5 14.Qb4 Qxb4 15.cxb4 Nc6 16.Nc2
White has some pressure.(16.Bxc6!? Was also interesting, aiming for a
good knight on the dark squares and pressure on the black queenside. 16...dxc6
17.Nb3 e5 18.Na5) 13.0-0 Ne7 14.Qa3 Rd8?

The last mistake. 14...Rb8 preventing Nb5 was critical, although white still is much better
because he can put pressure along the b and d files while black will struggle
to develop the light squared bishop.15.Nb5! axb5
15...Qb8 16.Nd6+-
Black is completely paralyzed; 15...Qe5 16.Qa5! Rf8 17.Nc7 Rb8 18.Qb6 Again
with a complete paralysis 18...Nc6 (18...Qxe2 19.Qa7) 19.Rad1
16.Qxa8
Qxc5 17.Bxb7 Nf5 18.Qa5 Rf8 19.Bf3
19.Bxc8 White can probably win here too,
but I thought it was unnecessary to give fortress chances. 19...Rxc8 20.a4 bxa4
21.Qxc5 Rxc5 22.Rxa4 g5 If black can comfortably set up d5 and Nd6, he may have
some chances to hold the game.
19...d5 20.e4

Opening lines for the White
pieces! 20...dxe4 21.Bxe4 Nd6 21...Ne3 I only saw this move after I had
played e4, but after a moment's concern I realized white can handle it:
22.Rfb1! (22.fxe3? Qxe3+ 23.Rf2 Qxe4; 22.Rfe1 Ng4 23.Re2 Qh5 24.h4 Nf6 With
unnecessary complications) 22...Ng4 23.Rb2 Bd7 (23...Qh5 24.h4) 24.Rd1
Nf6 25.Bg2+-22.Bg2!
Care must always be taken- Bf3 looked more natural
to me at first glance, but it has a problem... 22.Bf3 Nc4 23.Qb4 Qxb4 24.cxb4
Nd2 and black gets some saving chances22...e5 23.Qb4 Qxb4 24.cxb4 Be6 25.a4 bxa4 26.Rxa4 e4 27.Ra6 Nb5 28.Bxe4 Nc3 29.Re1
Although
Meier did not play nearly as well as I know he is capable of, I was still
pretty happy with this game. 1-0

Marc Arnold, Greg Shahade, and Sam Collins all could have
achieved GM Norms with last round victories, but unfortunately none could get
it done.Marc in particular had a very
strong tournament with 6.5/9, just shy of a GM norm performance.Here is his flashy win against GM Axel
Bachmann.

13-year-old Kayden Troff scored 5.5 with an insane
performance rating of 2529.The
following is one of his strong games.

Tatev Abrahamyan also finished with 5.5 and a 2492
performance, which would have netted her an IM norm had she met the foreign requirement.Here Tatev annotates a win as Black in her
beloved French Defense.

Not
the most common move. Danny chose the main line 9.Qh5 Ng6 10.Nf3 Qc7 11.Be3 in our last
game, so I was expecting it.
9...Qa5 10.Ne2
Qa4
Another less popular move. Our last game went 10...Ng6 11.0-0 c4
12.Bxg6 fxg6 13.a4 Bd7 14.f3 Rf7 15.h4 and Danny played flawlessly and won a
beautiful game. This time I got a little help with my preparation from another
fan of this positions, my friend Alejandro Ramirez.11.0-0 b6
11...Nxe5
12.Bxh7+ Kxh7 13.Qh5+ Kg8 14.Bxe7 Re8 15.dxe5 Rxe7 has been played before, but
I think black's king is a little vulnerable.
12.Ng3 Ng6 13.Qe2 c4 14.Bxg6
fxg6

15.Rfc1?! If White's idea is to protect the c2 pawn and attack the
black king with h4-h5, I think Ra2 makes more sense. however, I think black is
perfectly fine here. Bd7-e8 is an easy maneuver to protect the king if needed.15...Bd7
16.h4 Rf7 17.h5 gxh5 18.Nxh5 Ne7
Not necessary. Raf8 is more logical,
developing the last piece.
19.Bxe7 Rxe7 20.Qd2 h6 I like this move
because I found the move Qg5 annoying. Also, it opens up a square for my bishop
after Be8-g6.
21.Nf4 Rf7 22.Qe3
White could have played Qe3 on move 20. This is just a loss of tempo.
22...Rf5 23.f3 Raf8 24.Ng6 R8f7 25.Kf2 White
could have won an exchange with 25.f4 Kh7 26.g4 Kxg6 27.gxf5+ Rxf5 but black
should have enough compensation due to white's bad king and the awkward pieces,
especially the rook on c1. 25...Be8 26.Qd2 Kh7 27.Nh4 Rh5

The only person to actually score a norm performance while
meeting the foreign requirement was FM Faik Aleskerov, who captured his final
IM Norm with a performance of 2497.Faik has a wild, entertaining style of play that is showcased in the
following game.

There was a brilliancy prize in this year's event, the
winner getting a brand new ipad 2.It
was won by IM Larry Remlinger for the following sacrificial victory.

Here are some of the more interesting and crucial games
from the event.Enjoy!

I hope the East Bay International tradition lives on, and
if so I will certainly be back!